With summer ending far too soon, the only consolation is that it would seem like the film industry is finally readying itself for a return to “normalcy” both for better or worse. Festival season is upon us with Venice, Toronto, Telluride, and the New York Film Festival all gearing up as tired and frantic critics try to make viewing schedules. We also have our extensive fall preview with everything from blockbusters to the likely Oscar contenders. While there is much to be excited about in simply September alone, it is interesting to note how many of the films being released are happening in theaters without options for digital rentals or streaming — a major difference from only just a few months ago.
READ MORE: Fall 2021 Movie Preview: 60+ Must-See Films
There will still be some films released through streaming with Amazon and Netflix housing quite a few of them. Elsewhere you’ll find everything from the latest Marvel film to make its way back into theaters after a drought last year, festival darlings, and perhaps one of the more bizarre Disney remakes in recent years.
READ MORE: The Best Films Of 2021, So Far
“Shang Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings”
The second of four Marvel films due to release this year, “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings” bears a lot of weight from expectations leading up to the release. Not only is it the first MCU movie led by and starring mainly actors of Asian descent, but it’s also only a release whose success at the box office may dictate further studio roll out this fall. Directed by Destin Daniel Cretton (“Short Term 12”) follows the titular Shang-Chi (played by “Kim’s Convenience” star Simu Liu) as he reconciles with his difficult past and legacy of his father, the always terrific Tony Leung, as he’s drawn into the mysterious Ten Rings organization. Our critic found mostly enjoyable, writing, “’Shang-Chi’ might get bogged down in the weight of water carrying plot, legend, plenty of backstories, MCU connectivity, and the obligations of climatic superhero action that gets unwieldy, but in the end, it’s a winning film that’s likable and that quality goes a long way.”
Release Date: September 3 in theaters
“Worth”
Based on the novel “What Is Life Worth?” written by Kenneth Feinberg and directed by Sara Colangelo (“The Kindergarten Teacher,”) “Worth” follows Feinberg (played here by Michael Keaton) as he battles bureaucracy and politics in Washington, D.C. to help victims of 9/11. The cast is superb, with Stanley Tucci and Amy Ryan accompanying Keaton. Our critic first saw it at the 2020 Sundance Film Festival where they spoke highly of the cast, calling them the best part of the film, writing, “When ‘Worth’ is riveting it’s only when Tucci and Keaton are on screen together. There is a spark in their performances that’s missing from the rest of the picture and Tucci is somehow the only actor in the ensemble who can make you truly feel a victim’s pain.”
Release Date: September 3 on Netflix and limited theatrical release
“Cinderella”
Perhaps it’s a good thing that so much of the discourse surrounding the upcoming “Cinderella” adaptation starring pop singer Camila Cabelo has been about the viral video that circled this past weekend of James Corden in a rat costume thrusting at innocent commuters. Not to be a downer, but so far nothing about this iteration – aside from “Blockers” director Kay Cannon being attached – has seemed worthwhile. Excited to be proven wrong of course. And aside from some curious casting for the lead, the cast –Corden aside— is promising with “Pose’s” Billy Porter playing a fairy Godparent known as the “Fab G” along with Idina Menzel and Pierce Brosnan in supporting roles.
Release Date: September 3 on Amazon
“Blood Brothers: Malcolm X & Muhammad Ali”
This latest Netflix documentary produced by Kenya Barris (“Blackish”)explores the relationship between Malcolm X and Muhamad Ali from their meeting, their growing friendship, and eventual falling out. The film is directed by Marcus A.Clarke (“Unsolved Mysteries”) and inspired by the book “Blood Brothers” written by Randy Roberts and Johnny Smith. The film will look to further deepen our understanding of the two and their friendship with the help of interviews from those closest to the pair such as Malcolm X’s daughter Ilyasah Shabazz, Ali’s brother Rahman Ali and daughters Maryum and Hana Ali along with voices such as Cornel West and Al Sharpton.
Release Date: September 9 on Netflix
“Kate”
Every few years it feels as if Hollywood is finally going to capitalize Mary Elizabeth Winstead’s wealth of charm – —from “Birds of Prey” to “Cloverfield 10 Lane”—before ultimately failing to deliver on consistent quality pictures. The action film “Kate ” debuting on Netflix is yet another one of those attempts. Directed by Cedric Nicolas-Troyan (“The Huntsman: Winter’s War”), with a screenplay from Umair Aleem, the film is lead by Winstead’s Kate, a criminal operative who has been irreversibly poisoned and has less than 24 hours to exact revenge on her enemies while forming an unexpected bond with the daughter of one of her past victims. Woody Harrelson, Michiel Huisman, and Miku Martineau also star.
Release Date: September 10 on Netflix
“The Voyeurs”
An erotic thriller staring “The White Lotus” star Sydney Sweeney and Justice Smith from HBO’s “Genera+ion,” the upcoming Amazon flick “The Voyeurs” asks the question if it’s okay to watch? The film follows Pippa and Thomas after they’ve moved into their dream apartment. They soon realize that their windows look directly into the apartment across the street – curiosity grabs hold and soon they’re meddling and setting in motion a disastrous chain of events. Michael Mohan (“Everything Sucks!”) directs and Ben Hardy and Natasha Liu Bardizzo also star.
Release Date: September 10 on Amazon
“The Card Counter”
Oscar Isaac is about to have a hell of a few months, with films and television series debuting at the Venice Film Festival and Toronto all within the next couple of weeks. While “Dune” perhaps is the buzziest of the three and “Scenes From a Marriage” the most curious in how it draws on old material, it’s Paul Schrader’s “The Card Counter” that almost feels like an exciting project to get the actor back on track. Co-starring Tiffany Haddish, Tye Sheridan, and Willem Dafoe, the film follows William Tell (Isaac) a gambler and former serviceman who sets out to reform a young man seeking revenge on a mutual enemy from their past.
Release Date: September 10 in theaters
“Everybody’s Talking About Jamie”
As far as musicals go, though many may be focused on a Ben Platt starring vehicle this month, so far “Everybody’s Talking About Jamie” seems heaps more joyful and enjoyable. Directed by Jonathan Butterell in his debut feature, the musical follows 16-year-old Jamie New (played by Max Harwood) who, instead of pursuing a traditional career, dreams of becoming a drag queen. While he faces discrimination his family and belief in himself and talents help him overcome in this sincere coming-of-age story. Our critic wrote, “Despite its flaws in translating a story two times over, it has an effervescent quality, an undeniable likability that appears to stem from director Jonathan Butterell (his feature debut) careful, but not overly calculated, choreographing of charm.”
Release Date: September 17 on Amazon
“The Starling”
Despite being directed by Theodore Melfi, a director who often leans a touch too far into the maudlin with his films “Hidden Figures” and “St. Vincent,” the upcoming “The Starling” inspires interest due largely to its stellar cast. Melissa McCarthy leads the ensemble as a woman dealing with an enormous loss and she’s joined by Kevin Kline, Chris O’Dowd, Timothy Olyphant, Daveed Diggs, and Laura Harrier. Matt Harris penned the screenplay, a comedy-drama that should be right in McCarthy’s sweet spot that allows the actress to once again demonstrates why she’s one of the best actors currently working.
Release Date: September 17 through Limited Release and September 24 on Netflix
“The Eyes of Tammy Faye”
If there’s one major hurdle facing “The Eyes of Tammy Faye” before seeing the film, it’s the makeup that’s been seemingly thickly applied to stars Jessica Chastain and Andrew Garfield’s faces to transform them, to the point of distraction thus far in marketing. The film is scheduled to make its premiere at the 2021 Toronto International Film Festival and is based on the true story of Tammy Faye Bakker and her husband, Jim, and their rise to creating the world’s largest religious broadcasting network and theme park before scandal threatens all they’ve built. Michael Showalter (“The Big Sick,” “The Lovebirds,”) directs with a screenplay from Abe Sylvia and is based on the 2000 documentary of the same name from directors Fenton Bailey and Randy Barbato.
Release Date: September 17 in theaters
“Blue Bayou”
Director Justin Chon has established a fascinating career so far for himself with independent dramas “Gook” and “Ms. Purple” demonstrating an eager and exciting new talent on the rise. With “Blue Bayou” which he wrote, directed, and stars in, he’s reached his greatest peak yet with the film premiering at the 2021 Cannes Film Festival. Following Antonio (Chon), a Korean adoptee raised in the Louisiana bayou, the film tackles what happens when he is threatened with potential deportation, separating him from his wife and child along with the only country he’s ever known. Alicia Vikander and Emory Cohen co-star. Our critic saw it at Cannes and wrote, “Chon films all these moments with such a transfixing beauty too. The Louisiana heat radiates through the screen as the camera catches droplets of sweat trickling down exhausted faces.”
Release Date: September 17 in theaters
“I’m Your Man”
Dan Stevens has had an impressively eclectic career thus far. From “Downton Abbey” and “Legion” to “The Guest” and “Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga,” Stevens has never limited himself to one particular genre or starring vehicle. In “I’m Your Man,” directed by Maria Schrader (“Unorthodox”), he may have found his strongest role to date. The film, which premiered earlier this year at the Berlin Film Festival, follows a scientist in Berlin who is persuaded to participate in a study that involved living for a humanoid robot for three weeks to gain funding for her research. Our critic praised his performance, writing, “The most desperately affectionate forms of love are usually framed in shades of sickly melodrama, but Stevens finds a way to make Tom sipping champagne in a bathtub filled with rose petals look like a razor-sharp comedic genius.”
Release Date: September 17 in theaters
